Archive for month: September, 2015

Classics are the most important pieces in any wardrobe, hence the most essential. They are the key to building a solid wardrobe and form the foundations of any good wardrobe. These are the pieces that you constantly fall back to, and as such they get the most use in your wardrobe. While trends are fun, you would find that you still struggle with finding and creating outfits easily if most items in your wardrobe are trendy pieces.

The rule of thumb when it comes to creating a timeless wardrobe filled with pieces that would make dressing-up easier and more fun is to apply a higher ratio of your wardrobe to classic pieces and less of trendy pieces. Some have suggested a ratio of 70% classic pieces. While there are no strict rules to these ratios, there is a general consensus that wardrobe classics be of good quality as they are the most worn pieces in your wardrobe.

Scroll down for our take on where to start in creating the essential wardrobe, and then add a dose of your personality, lifestyle and accessories to continue building your perfect wardrobe!

1. A Well-Cut denim in a dark wash – Darker denim is universally more flattering on most silhouette. The darker wash is also more suitable for a wider range of events than other washes. Consider Investing in well-made and well-tailored denim.

2. A well-tailored blazer – Blazers have a way of instantly updating an outfit. You can throw them on dresses or jumpsuits, or pair with pants and skirts. Invest in classic colours like black, grey, white or brown, you can then throw in a few funky colours for fun.

3. A little black dress – We cannot overemphasize the importance of an LBD in a wardrobe. This piece is so versatile it can be worn for almost any event and styled in a variety of ways. You can pair with blazers, sweaters, button-down blouses and great accessories, the possibilities are endless! You might want to consider investing in a couple of these in different styles. Check here for ideas on styling your LBD. Opt for simple LBDs with interesting details.

4. Black smart pants – Every woman needs a pair of black pants. A good pair of smart pants will take you from formal occasions to informal occasions and can be dressed up with heels or down with flats. Invest in a cut that most flatters your figure.

5. A white button-down blouse – This is another piece you might want to consider investing in different styles, for the simple reason that you want your white blouse looking smart and pristine always. Choose button downs with varying details like bows, interesting necklines or cool little details that make all the difference to every outfit.

6. Classic black, brown or nude pumps – These are you power shoes and they would take you from the boardroom to cocktails effortlessly. Invest in pairs that would give you good mileage, as they would work with just about any outfit. You can throw in a blue, animal print or red for extra flair.

7. A great fitting skirt – A great fitting skirt in a style that is most flattering to your figure is a solid wardrobe piece. Consider choosing this in neutral colours of black and grey. A pencilled skirt is a good choice as it is very flattering and can transition easily from work to play.

8. A cotton plain white tee shirt or tank – This piece can be tucked into a skirt, worn on denim or paired with a jacket. This trusty piece would serve for both formal and informal occasions.

9. A pair of smart flats – These are both chic and comfortable. They will go with most outfits and will help give your feet some much-needed rest from wearing heels, so invest in a good pair. For an extra dose of cool, you can invest in a pair of slip-on sneakers; they instantly make your casual outfits chicer.